Hiberno Norse

Sihtric Anlafsson c.AD 1020-1035 Silver Penny, Phase II

Dublin mint / Faeremn moneyer

S6122; 19mm, 1.43g

High grade and pleasing golden tone, much mint lustre remaining.

The post Ireland Hiberno Norse Sihtric Anlafsson c.AD 1020-1035 Silver Penny Phase II Dublin *High Grade* appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Bust Crowned type (BMC viii)

Norwich / Hrodgar

+ ÆÐELSTΛN REX, crowned and draped bust right / + HRODGAR MO NORPIC, small cross pattée.

S1095; 21mm, 1.61g, 9h, Blunt, Aethelstan 284; SCBI 34 (BM), 143 (same obv. die); SCBI 30 (American), 337 (this coin); North 673.

Well struck on good silver, little wear and attractive old collection tone, a premium piece worthy of the very best cabinets.

This coin comes with a previous printed label.

From the E. M. Norweb Collection (Part III, Spink 56, 19 November 1986), lot 785, purchased from Spink, April 1969; ‘Old German Collection’ dispersed by Jacques Schulman.

Æthelstan (924-937): Regarded by some as the very best of all the English Kings (even better than Alfred), Æthelstan’s achievements draw on aspects of both his father and grandfather’s rule. In addition to being a capable military commander and well-able to defend the realm, he was also a statesman of note. Securing his borders with Wales via clever diplomacy and making supreme efforts to ensure that Scandinavian-aligned Northumbria would not break away from England, he was also deeply concerned with undertaking sweeping legal reforms. A shrewd man in matters fiscal, he promoted regional trade centres, re-organised aspects of the minting process and struck coins bearing his name that declared him ‘King of All Britain’ – a proud but perhaps not totally inaccurate boast. In 937, he achieved a stunning victory when he defeated a joint invasion force of Dublin Norse and Scottish at the Battle of Brunanburgh – though he died only a few years later.

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Alpha / Cross

S960, 19mm, 1.19g

This coin comes with a previous dealers handwritting label

Saint Edmund’s pennies

Perhaps the most numerous of the Anglo-Viking issues struck in the Danelaw are the so-called ‘St Edmund Memorial’ pennies, copying issues of Edmund – the King of East Anglia who was martyred in 869. These coins were struck in several phases from c. 895-910 by a dizzying array of moneyers, who demonstrate not only indigenous Anglo-Saxon names but also Scandinavian and even continental ones. These attest to a thriving, internationally-reaching polity that was probably somewhat diverse.

It might seem bizarre to think that the sons and grandsons of those who had originally killed Edmund had now moved to striking coins celebrating him as ‘SC EADMUND’ (Saint Edmund) within their own territory. However, perhaps there is a relevant point here to be made concerning the extent to which Christian beliefs had been adopted and the hold which Edmund’s cult held over the local populace. Perhaps the newly-converted Danes, feeling guilty for their ancestors’ martyrdom of Edmund, were trying to make spiritual amends by venerating him on their coins?

The post Anglo Viking Danish East Anglia Silver Penny St Edmund Memorial type AD 885-954 appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Bare headed bust left with sceptre/Voided short cross with letters CRVX within angles

Colchester / Wulfine

S1148; 20mm, 1.27g

A sharply struck example in good silver.

Æthelred II ‘The Unready’ – 978-1013/1014-1016: The eldest son of Eadgar, Æthelred became king at the mere age of 12 following the brutal murder of his half-brother Edward. Young and easy to manipulate, he came to depend on his councillors for their prudent advice – an aspect in which they badly let him down. Though his reign is noted for its economic reforms and a high standard for the English coinage, it was marred by Scandinavian raids, periods of acute social instability and famine. Initially adopting a policy of paying the invaders to go away, Æthelred abruptly U-turned in 1002 and massacred many ethnic Danes resident in England. This policy backfired spectacularly, actually causing more Scandinavians to take up arms against him. Displaced from the throne in 1013 by Swein Forkbeard, he briefly returned to rule for a second time in 1014 after the latter’s untimely death – only to die himself shortly afterwards.

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Bust left wearing pointed helmet, sceptre/Voided cross within circle

Cambridge / Grim

S1158; 19mm, 0.93g

Cnut ‘The Great’ – 1016-1035: A prominent Scandinavian prince and junior member of the Danish royal house, Cnut spent much of the early 11th century as an active participant on raids directed at England. In 1013, his father Swein Forkbeard invaded England and became its king by dint of conquest – though died shortly afterwards. Cnut was forced to retreat back to Denmark, but returned to England in 1015. Defeating the English at Assandun in 1016 and forcing a settlement, Cnut eventually succeeded to the throne of all England. An outwardly pious man, he gave generously to religious houses during his reign and went on pilgrimage to Rome – despite being a murderous bigamist. During his near twenty-year long rule, he came to unite England, Denmark, Norway and part of Sweden into the powerful but short-lived ‘North Sea Empire’.

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Saroaldo Type 11

Bust right stylized/Pseudo legend SAROALDO around standard

View Video Here

S784; 11mm, 1.03g

This coin comes with a rough find area provenance.

The post Anglo Saxon Primary Phase AD 680-710 Silver Sceat Saroaldo Type 11 appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Series X

Wodan head / Monster

Ribe mint.

S797; 12mm, 1.02g

This coin comes with a rough find area provenance and is recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme.

The post Anglo Saxon Continental Issues AD 695-740 Silver Sceatta Series X Wodan head / Monster Ribe mint appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Light coinage, non portrait. Moneyer Beaweth? or similar

Celtic Cross Type, Small flan

S904, 16mm, 0.97g

This coin comes with a rough find area provenance.

View Video Here

Offa (757-796): The first King of Mercia to strike coins, Offa is perhaps one of the most famous Anglo-Saxon kings – and certainly the longest-ruling (c. 39 years). Although he probably was not the original builder of ‘Offa’s Dyke’ and his attempts to ingratiate himself with the Frankish King Charlemagne ultimately failed – by the time of his death he had built Mercia into Anglo-Saxon England’s powerhouse kingdom. J J North’s ‘English Hammered Coinage vol. I’ encompasses Offa’s coinage within c. 80 different types, which perhaps illustrates best the complexity of his various issues struck during his reign.

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Danish East Anglia AD 885-954 Silver Penny

St Edmund Memorial

Alpha / Cross

NGC Slab MS62

S960; 18mm, 41.54g (Slab weight)

A high grade example.

Saint Edmund’s pennies

Perhaps the most numerous of the Anglo-Viking issues struck in the Danelaw are the so-called ‘St Edmund Memorial’ pennies, copying issues of Edmund – the King of East Anglia who was martyred in 869. These coins were struck in several phases from c. 895-910 by a dizzying array of moneyers, who demonstrate not only indigenous Anglo-Saxon names but also Scandinavian and even continental ones. These attest to a thriving, internationally-reaching polity that was probably somewhat diverse.

It might seem bizarre to think that the sons and grandsons of those who had originally killed Edmund had now moved to striking coins celebrating him as ‘SC EADMUND’ (Saint Edmund) within their own territory. However, perhaps there is a relevant point here to be made concerning the extent to which Christian beliefs had been adopted and the hold which Edmund’s cult held over the local populace. Perhaps the newly-converted Danes, feeling guilty for their ancestors’ martyrdom of Edmund, were trying to make spiritual amends by venerating him on their coins?

The post Anglo Viking Danish East Anglia AD 885-954 Silver Penny St Edmund Memorial NGC Slab MS62 appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Hiberno Norse AD 1035-1060 Silver Penny Long Cross. Phase 3

Imitating Aethelred II’s Long Cross coinage, blundered legends.

Hands in 2 angles, trefoil of pellets.

S6132; 18mm, 0.93g

Comes with previous collectors handwritten label, ex Hibernia collection.

View Video Here

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